CBP Yuma sector canines bust two smuggling attempts of over $180,000 of meth coming to U.S.

Border agents seized more than $180,000 in methamphetamine in two separate stops at an immigration checkpoint on Interstate 8, authorities said Monday.

Both seizures were made Friday afternoon and evening by Customs and Border Protection agents from the Yuma sector, according to a CBP media release.

In the first smuggling attempt, a Border Patrol canine alerted agents to an odor coming from a 2013 Toyota Camry, the release said. When agents inspected the vehicle they found several packages of meth hidden in the body panels and under the floor.

The packages weighed a total of 40.6 pounds with a street value of $121,800, CBP said.

The driver of the Camry was a 19-year-old woman from Yuma, who was arrested on drug charges.

The second seizure came three hours later, when another Border Patrol canine alerted on a 2015 Nissan Altima, CBP said.

Agents found multiple packages of meth hidden in the gas tank of the vehicle, weighing 20.65 pounds and with a street value of $61,950, CBP said.

The driver of the Altima was 30-year-old man from Peoria, who was also arrested on drug charges.